Social media plays a complicated role in the fame game. It can be used to publicize good information about where to go and how to behave but can also be used to spread information about overrun destinations or undesirable behaviors.
As a concept, overtourism is relative and highly subjective, with one destination’s understanding of the term potentially differing significantly from another’s. Even within a single destination, what one party considers too many tourists, another may see as the ideal number, or even not enough.
As visitors return after easing of Covid curbs, talk of diversification of Spanish city has been drowned out by sound of ringing tills
For Europe’s most visited cities, overtourism once pushed them to breaking point. Following the pandemic, how are they faring now? And how can hoteliers anticipate this demand and adjust pricing for success?
Overtourism was the travel buzzword of 2019, as destinations around the globe, from the hiking trails of Machu Picchu to the canals of Venice, battled the impact of throngs of visitors. Amid all the planning, predicting and projecting, there's one thing these destinations couldn't envisage: the travel industry grinding to a screeching halt as Covid-19 spread across the world.
The surge in domestic tourism following COVID-19 has not curtailed as holiday-makers turn to staycations over international travel. This domestic tourism, which was once a knight in shining armor met with gratitude by residents in European hot spots, is now a cause for despair as they see the all-too-familiar scenes of overtourism, says GlobalData.
Picture the scene. You're on vacation. You've had a slow morning wandering round, a long lunch and a stroll around the city. You realize you're near that gallery you've been meaning to visit -- so you walk over. Even five years ago, you could probably have sauntered in unless it was a peak time on a peak day. A half-hour wait was likely the longest you'd have to put up with for not planning. How things have changed in the travel world.
It already has one of the highest tourist taxes in Europe. And from next year, Amsterdam will be requesting even more money from its visitors, potentially making it the highest on the continent.
Strategy may involve tourist tax and closing down attractions in crowded regions
The hospitality industry, benefiting from surging tourism worldwide, is scrambling to keep up with demand while remaining aware of the potential pitfalls from the deluge of tourists.